The nation’s leading bird conservation organization – American Bird
Conservancy (ABC) – today hailed the decision by the Iowa Department of
Natural Resources (DNR) to require the use of nontoxic ammunition for
the first Mourning Dove hunting season in Iowa since 1918. In Iowa,
the hunting of doves will use the same nontoxic ammunition as mandated
for waterfowl hunting, which has required nontoxic shot since 1991
throughout the US.
Over 500 scientific studies attest to the fact that IOWA DNR
did the right thing in taking action that will reduce the proliferation
of one of the world’s most toxic substances – lead. Tens of thousands
of doves and other birds mistakenly ingest lead shot littering the
ground after the hunting season. Every Mourning Dove that ingests a
lead pellet is essentially a dead dove. The use of nontoxic shot will
save these birds from needless and agonizing deaths from toxic lead
left in fields. The Iowa decision is pro-wildlife and it is
pro-environment,” said ABC President George Fenwick.
"Contrary to what members of the gun lobby may say, this
action is not anti-hunting. Hunters can still engage in a pastime that
has been part of our culture for hundreds of years. The only change is
that they need to use non-toxic ammunition,” said Fenwick. In 2010
the price of steel shotgun ammo for doves went on sale, and was actually
lower than the price of steel shot.
The non-toxic shot requirement follows several discussions by
the commission during the past year concerning the impacts of lead shot
to the environment and on wildlife. Lead – or toxic – shot used in
hunting can be ingested by wildlife. There has been a national ban on
the use of lead shot for waterfowl hunting since 1991 with non-toxic
shot for waterfowl being in place in Iowa since 1987.
The rules approved by the commission allow for a dove season
starting Sept. 1st and ending Nov. 9th. The final rule allows the
harvest of 15 doves a day and can be either mourning or Eurasian
collared-doves. The possession limit is 30 and the season is open
state-wide.
Commissioners added and approved an amendment on Thursday that
would require hunters to only use non-toxic shot while hunting doves
anywhere in the state of Iowa.
According to Iowa DNR, he decision to ban toxic shot for dove
hunting was based largely on the fact that much of the hunting occurs
over a small area which would increase the likelihood of lead
concentrations being created.
A series of recent developments on the issue of lead
ammunition continues to bolster the case against continued use of lead
ammunition for both shotguns and rifles, including editorials by
leaders in the hunting and fishing community, findings from several new
studies, and actions by the U.S. military.
Ted Williams, editor of Fly Rod and Reel Online, said in
Audubon Magazine that: “Despite cheap available alternatives most
American sportsmen are still using lead ammunition and fishing tackle.
Because of this, some of our most majestic birds, from eagles to loons
to condors pay a terrible price.”
In addition, one of the world’s leading newspapers, the New
York Times, has also called for an end to lead ammunition use in
hunting. A May 16, 2011 EDITTORIAL states: “Banning lead poses no threat to hunters or fishermen. It is a
way of making sure they kill only the prey they seek without
inadvertently killing other creatures as well.”
Another development impacting the continued use of lead
ammunition is a decision by the U.S. Army to move to a lead-free 5.56mm
rifle bullet. Lt. Col. Jeff Woods, the Army's small caliber Ammunition
Product Manager, was effusive in his praise of its performance in the
May issue of www.military.com.
"There's nothing out there right now that can perform like this round
on this wide a range of targets. This is a clear case where making
something environmentally friendly works for us," he said.
Army officials said the new ammunition improved hard-target
capability and provided more dependable, consistent performance at all
distances, as well as improved accuracy, reduced muzzle flash, and
increased velocity.
“Clearly, the military praise of the performance of this
lead-free ammunition speaks for itself. I doubt that there are any more
knowledgeable people when it comes to understanding and appreciating
ammunition performance, than the military. The myth that lead-free
ammunition doesn’t perform has been exposed, and hunters can use
non-toxic ammunition with confidence that it will meet their high
standards,” Fenwick said.
Lead is a highly toxic substance that is dangerous to wildlife
even at low levels. Exposure can cause a range of health effects, from
loss of coordination and nerve damage to acute poisoning and death.
Long-term effects can include mental retardation, reduced reproduction,
and damage to neurological development.
Several studies of various species of birds suggest that up to
10 million birds and other animals die each year from lead poisoning
in the United States, including Bald Eagles, Golden Eagles, Loons,
Trumpeter Swans, and doves. This occurs when animals scavenge on
carcasses shot and contaminated with lead bullet fragments, or pick up
and eat spent lead shot pellets or lost fishing weights, mistaking them
for food or grit. Some animals die within days, while others suffer
for years from lead’s debilitating effects.
Lead ammunition also poses health risks to people. Lead
bullets fragment on impact into minute particles, spreading throughout
game meat that people eat. X-ray studies show that hundreds of
dust-sized lead particles can contaminate meat more than a foot and a
half away from the bullet track. A recent study found that up to 87% of
game killed by lead ammunition contains unsafe levels of lead when
consumed by pregnant women or children. Nearly ten million hunters,
their families, and low-income beneficiaries of venison donations may
be at risk.